Westminster Council appoints Altius and Erith to Huguenot House redevelopment

Altius Real Estate and Erith Contractors have been appointed by Westminster Council to the redevelopment of a property close to London’s Leicester Square.

The Council describes Huguenot House on Oxendon Street as: “An ageing investment asset that risks the instability of future financial return without meaningful intervention.”  Problems with the current building include compliance issues, dissatisfied residents and increasing difficulties in letting vacant properties. Safety upgrades had already taken place ahead of the wider decision on redevelopment.

Altius Real Estate has been granted a 250-year lease of the property prior to commencement of development. The new proposals for the site include 22 affordable homes and 22 for market sale. The proposal also includes a 473-room hotel with a new cinema (to replace the existing one). Current residents are to be offered homes in the redeveloped building if they want ot return.

The business case for the redevelopment also includes a recommendation that the building should target net zero embodied and operational carbon. The aim is also to introduce an energy use intensity target during the building’s operational phase. The delivery team is also aiming to retain as much of the existing building as possible, and to follow Westminster’s Retrofit First policy.

A final planning application for the site is due to be submitted by mid-2026.